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Thermoformed plastic container for chocolate

a plastic container and thermoforming technology, applied in the field of thermoforming plastic containers for chocolate, can solve the problems of foil-wrapped chocolate candies that are easy to be damaged and the product may not be able to resist tampering,

Inactive Publication Date: 2011-01-18
INTERCONTINENTAL GREAT BRANDS LLC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a more tamper-resistant and / or tamper-evident container for edible products, such as candy, particularly chocolate candy. The container includes a three-dimensional shaped candy and a hollow container with a wall that conforms to the shape of the candy. The container has at least two portions that are removably secured to each other, allowing the candy to be securely sealed within the container. The container is made of plastic material, such as thermoformed plastic, and may have a hinge or living hinge to secure the candy. The container can be heat wrapped with a plastic sleeve to protect the candy from melting or deformation during shipment. The technical effects of the invention include improved security and protection of the candy from tampering and a more visually appealing and functional container design.

Problems solved by technology

During shipment or storage, however, some of the foil may be torn or otherwise displaced to expose the candy, or the candy may be broker as the foil provides little protective supporting for the candy.
Further, such foil-wrapped chocolate candies offer little resistance to product tampering.

Method used

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  • Thermoformed plastic container for chocolate
  • Thermoformed plastic container for chocolate
  • Thermoformed plastic container for chocolate

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0029]The present invention provides a self-supporting, rigidly shaped container for releasably holding a chocolate or chocolate including candy that avoids the disadvantages of prior art foil-wrapped, chocolate candies. The container of the present invention advantageously provides a more secure barrier over the chocolate to provide tamper resistance and to minimize product lose due to contain failure.

[0030]FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an article of manufacture 10 which includes a segmented egg-shaped container 12, a shrink-wrapped sleeve or label 14 disposed over certain exterior portions 30 of the container 12 while not being disposed over other portions 28 of the container 12, and a candy (not shown), interrelated as shown in FIG. 1. While the container in FIG. 1 is depicted as egg-shaped, the present invention is not so limited and other shaped containers may suitably be used. Nonlimiting examples of other suitably shaped containers include, but are not limited to, almond...

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Abstract

An article of manufacture includes (a) a three-dimensionally shaped edible candy including chocolate; and (b) a hollow container including a wall defining an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface defining a hollow portion having a shape which substantially conforms to the three-dimensional shape of the candy for releasably securing the candy within the hollow shape of the container, wherein the container includes at least two portions removably secured to one and the other for releasably securing the candy, and further wherein the container includes a plastic material, such as a thermoformed plastic material.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 612,371, filed Sep. 23, 2004, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a thermoformed plastic container for chocolate. More particularly, the present invention relates to a thermoformed plastic container having a chocolate container therein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Certain chocolate or chocolate-containing candies having appealing three dimensional shapes, such as for example chocolate Easter eggs, chocolate Easter bunnies and the like, are typically wrapped in aluminum foil. The foil is removed by the consumer prior to consumption of the candy. During shipment or storage, however, some of the foil may be torn or otherwise displaced to expose the candy, or the candy may be broker as the foil provides little protective supporting for the candy. As a result from about 7 to about 15...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Patents(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A23G3/50
CPCA23G1/505A23G1/545A23G3/545A23G3/563B65D85/60B65D81/365
Inventor SINICHKO, HENRYABERNATHY, PAUL B.BOWERS, PAUL K.
Owner INTERCONTINENTAL GREAT BRANDS LLC
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